Cross removed to make Wren Chapel less 'faith-specific'

The Flat Hat ^ | October 6, 2006 | Angela Cota

[kubla]

The cross from the altar area of the Wren Chapel has been removed to ensure that the space is seen as a nondenominational area, Melissa Engimann, assistant director for Historic Campus, said in an e-mail to Wren building employees.

“In order to make the Wren Chapel less of a faith-specific space, and to make it more welcoming to students, faculty, staff and visitors of all faiths, the cross has been removed from the altar area,” Engimann said.

[Defender2]

Blueflag,

I drove past the Entrance Grounds to William and Mary many many times, True Old Virginia, in it's finest. Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Surrey(I used to stop and eat dinner at the Surrey house where the staff wears the old colonial dress, Very good meals), cross over to Jamestown via the famous Jamestown Ferry, Franklin, Emporia, Suffolk, Chesapeake. Beautiful Country. Freedom's Heartland.

I am deeply saddened that this happened.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I see that you have a considerable knowledge in this area, in which I am certainly no expert. The source is obviously biased, and I have no ax to grind on this issue, but a few of the arguments seem rather weak to me. Other arguments are based on someone of one culture arguing on the basis of another culture's values, and are much too esoteric for me to analyze.

As I have said above, it certainly would not be out of character for the Muslims to do in India what they have done elsewhere, and which most cultures have done since the time of the origin of civilization. Only a few cultures are as honest as the Romans, and admit that their civilization, great as it was, was nearly totally derivative.

[little jeremiah]

Thanks for checking it out. I have done much reading and study over the years about Vedic influence and history, have found it fascinating and enlightening.

[Jim Robinson]

Marxism on the march!

[napscoordinator]

I have never in my life heard of the Wren Chapel. Is this some special chapel that I never heard of. News would be Vatican decides to remove all crosses due to wanting more religions represented. That would indeed be horrible. Catholic Churches thankfully have more sense than to take out a cross to welcome more folks. This Chapel may just want a higher number of people to attend which can mean more cash on Sundays.

[napscoordinator]

Actually why don't they just build a special cabinet that allows the cross to be seen during christian events and close the door during Jewish and Muslim religious events and any other religion that wants to use the chapel. I have seen this done in military chapels and it is very effective.

[airborne]

Well, isn't that special!

I'm sure Jesus will be impressed! (not!)

[Blueflag]

Wren Chapel is the second oldest College chapel in the US. Only Harvard's is older. Wren Chapel is part of the history of this nation, an element of Colonial Williamsburg. The Wren Building, of which the Wren Chapel is a part, is where Thomas Jefferson and other historical figures of American History attended college and 'chapel'. It is not just a room.

Folks forget to remember that the College of William and Mary (I am an alumnus) has LOTS of places -- bigger, more accessible, less contested-- to establish a nondenominational chapel. Even in the Wren Building there could be a room set aside. The insult here is that with thousands of rooms within walking distance, and easily open to the public and tours, the College has chosen to insult the Christians and deny the history of the chapel.

Imagine if the (secular) curators of the nation's oldest synagogue decided that the star of David was offensive to SOME people on tours, and removed the star and the scrolls so as to make the room 'generic'.

Ignoring the fact that the building burned down in all or part several times, you can sit in the "same pew" as Thomas Jefferson, et al.

[Jorge]

I hear all you're saying but when all is said and done it is still just a building.

If the owners decide to convert it into a non-denominational cross-faith place of worship, they can do so.

[machman]

Not as bad as this: Detroit church to be reborn as a mosque

Very Sad....

[TheBridge]

http://www.savethewrencross.org/petition.php





Blogs can be found here:

http://savethewrencross.blogspot.com/

[TheBridge]

Then the Colledge Prez needs to be removed along with the Cross.

Then, the Cross needs to be returned, without the Prez.